Key Largo Chamber of Commerce

fwtable fwsrc="index4.png" fwbase="index3.gif" fwstyle="Dreamweaver" fwdocid = "" fwnested="0"

Dive & Snorkel

Photo courtesy of: Monroe County Tourist Development Council Drive south from Miami for about an hour and you will come to the drawbridge at Jewfish Creek. When you cross this bridge you will find yourself in Key Largo, the first island of the Florida Keys. This chain of coral islands is legendary for its lore of pirates and sunken treasure, but today countless visitors have discovered the real treasure of Florida Keys lies just offshore, its world-class diving and snorkeling. The waters offshore of Key Largo offer some of the best diving in the world. Visitors to Key Largo quickly understand why it is the "Dive Capital of the World".

Key Largo was one of the first areas in the world to dive into conservation of its marine habitat. John Pennekamp Coral Reef Park was founded in 1960 and the Key Largo National Marine Sanctuary was created 1975. As a result, the reef has been protected for more than four decades. This protection has provided a uniquely rich coral environment where the 600 species of tropical fish are numerous and friendly – a veritable paradise for diver and snorkeler.

Key Largo is best known for its shallow reefs and deep wrecks. The shallow reefs provide world class diving for scuba divers of all ages and skills. The deep wrecks offer the some of the best wreck diving found anywhere.

Here are some Key Largo’s most popular spots:

The Elbow is a reef system where you can find several historic shipwrecks; the City of Washington is one of them. Visibility is also good here due to the proximity of the Gulf Stream. Residents include several friendly nurse sharks and moray eels.

Key Largo Dry Rocks is the site of the famous "Christ of the Deep" Statue; this is one of the Keys' most popular diving and snorkeling locations. Key Largo Dry Rocks, is a shallow site, and offers close viewing of many types of fish.

North Dry Rocks is just north of Key Largo Dry Rocks. A shallow location, this reef contains the popular "Minnow Cave" - known for it's large seasonal population of silverside minnows.

North North Dry Rocks is just north of North Dry Rocks. A shallow spur and grove reef with some of the healthiest coral in the area.

The wreck of the Benwood is a shallow wreck found between French Reef and the Spiegel Grove sight. The Benwood is an old Norwegian freighter that has been down since 1942. The abundance of marine life and easy navigation makes it a popular night dive.

French Reef is known for its swim throughs and coral caves. It offers the chance to observe many species of fish and reef creatures, many of which never leave the shelter of the coral caves and tunnels. French Reef also has large formations of elk horn and stag horn corals.

Molasses Reef is said to be the most popular dive destination in the world. It’s great for snorkelers and divers alike as the reef touches the surface in places and slopes down to a depth of about fifty-five feet. The gulf stream provides for some of the best visibility in the area. The population of reef creatures is always changing, and includes frequent visits by many different pelagic species.

The USCG Cutters Duane and Bibb were intentionally sunk in 1987 to form an artificial reef only a mile south of Molasses Reef. Both lie in 130 feet of water. The Duane stands upright with its crow’s nest sixty feet below the surface; the Bibb lies on its starboard side. Visibility is great here, but the currents can be very challenging. These are not novice dives but well within the abilities of the accomplished recreational scuba diver.

Key Largo's newest wreck is the USS Spiegel Grove. This 510 ft. landing ship dock was intentionally sunk on May 17, 2002. She lies on her starboard side in 130 ft of water. Visibility is great here, but the currents can be very challenging. This is not a novice dive but well within the abilities of the accomplished recreational scuba diver.

Artificial Reef Dive Medallions:
Sponsored by the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce
Upper Keys Artificial Reef Foundation

The Florida Keys is home to several different shipwreck projects and have combined to make South Florida one of the world's best wreck dive destinations. Beginning with the Eagle in Islamorada, and progressing with the USCG Cutters Bibb and Duane in Key Largo, the Upper Keys Artificial Reef Association has sunk the biggest and most grand shipwreck ever, the 510-foot Landing Ship Dock the U. S. S. Spiegel Grove .

Sinking ships to serve as dive attractions is a costly enterprise. The Spiegel Grove's cost was well over $1 million, as well as countless hours of coordination by project volunteers over a six year period. By overwhelming consensus the dive operators of the Upper Keys have agreed that diving access to these shipwrecks shall be by means of a dive medallion, in essence a voluntary contribution that will serve to repay the significant debt accrued in placing these dive attractions on the bottom.

Here's how the Shipwreck Medallion Program works:

There is no additional fee required to dive the natural coral reefs of the Upper Florida Keys.
There is no fee required to dive the historic shipwrecks of the Upper Florida Keys such as the Benwood or City of Washington.
Commercial dive operators support the Shipwreck Medallion Program by encouraging

their customers to wear on their buoyancy compensators one of 2 levels of Shipwreck Medallion sponsorship:

Gold Lifetime Sponsor - The Gold sponsor will pay a $250 one-time fee and receive a beautiful commemorative bronze medallion with a brushed gold-finish in a velveteen display case and a plastic gold-colored lifetime dive medallion. The Gold Lifetime Sponsor is a limited edition of only 1,000 medallions and will never be recast. Sponsors names will be placed on a permanent plaque to be attached to Spiegel Grove. The first two plaques containing sponsor numbers 1 thru 500 was attached to the ship in May of 2003. The plaques containing sponsor number 501-750 and will be placed in 2004 and 2005 respectively.

Annual Sponsor - Annual dive medallions will cost $10 and will be of a different color each calendar year, beginning with red in January 2002, green in 2003 and purple in 2004.

Shipwreck Medallions are available at the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce, mile marker 106 and all Upper Keys TIB Bank of the Keys are distribution outlets.

For a complete list of dive and snorkel charters see our membership directory.